Anti-Aging: How to Get the Upper Hand on the Two Types of Aging

There are two types of aging processes at work that make us feel and look older, and each presents its own set of problems. By understanding that we age from the inside out -- called "intrinsic" aging -- as well as from the outside in -- called "extrinsic" aging -- we can get a better handle on achieving our anti-aging goals.
Most of us have our attention on the intrinsic aging process, the supposedly natural progression into old age -- along with all its signs and discomforts -- caused by our unique internal, genetic programming. This is the process that gave rise to comments like, "As far as aging goes, it matters who your parents were." While this is true in many respects, it"s not completely out of our control.
Science has opened new doors leading to exciting new solutions that promise someday to alter even genetic programming. Meanwhile, a good anti-aging diet, exercise program and progressive mental and emotional outlook can all have a profoundly positive effect on changing intrinsic aging processes formerly considered absolute.
Extrinsic aging, on the other hand, comes from all those external stress factors in our environment that add to the burden on our bodies and minds that accelerates aging. Here are some of the extrinsic aging factors that any anti-aging program needs to seriously confront and try to deal with:
Polluted air and water
Processed foods loaded with additives and preservatives
GMOs (genetically modified organisms) a part of most foods today
Depleted soils that yield mineral-deficient fruits, vegetables, roots and legumes
Fruits and vegetables laden with toxic chemicals
Synthetic rather than natural hormone supplements
Overuse of antibiotics and other drugs -- most or all of which have side effects ranging from mild to severe
Beef, pork, lamb and chicken raised in cages and force-fed unnatural processed foods that contain even more drugs, hormones and antibiotics
Fish from man-made "fish farms" fed unnatural processed foods that contain even more drugs and dangerous toxins
Seafood with high mercury levels
Households crammed with poisons used to clean our dishes, floors, walls and clothes, not to mention toxic scents and perfumes
Sedentary lifestyles that speed the road to aging
The solution to these and many other extrinsic aging factors -- as well as the intrinsic aging factors mentioned earlier -- rests solely in our hands. Knowing that some of our favorite foods, habits, hobbies and haunts may be shaving years off our lives means that we can, if we really want to, begin to turn things around.
Something as simple as shopping for organic meat and produce can make a significant difference in how we feel in just a few days. Adding a good multivitamin and mineral supplement with special anti-aging ingredients like lutein and lycopene is another very good start.

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